Grasshopper holder



May 30, 1939. v J. H. JONES GRASSHOPPER HOLDER Filed March 7, 1938 Patented May 30, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved grasshopper holder such as is particularly suited to receive grasshoppers when caught and to provide a carrier for the same convenient for use by fishermen.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an improved grasshopper holder from which grasshoppers can be taken one at a time without danger of the escape of the remaining grasshoppers therein.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved grasshopper .holder which is of a convenient size and so constructed as to be conveniently carried by fishermen.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a grasshopper holder which upon occasion is suitable for other uses.

Another and still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved grasshopper 20 holder which is simple and cheap of manufacture yet highly efficient and convenient in operation.

Other further specific objects, novel features of construction and improved results of the in- 25 vention will appear in more detail from the following description when read in the light of the accompanying drawing.

vIn the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the im- 30 proved device. I

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, a portion of the view being illustrated in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken at right angles to Fig. 2.

35 Having reference now to the drawing in which like parts are designated by similar reference numerals throughout the description and in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, A designates as an entirety the upper 40 portion of the holder or carrier, B the bottom thereof, C the outlet or discharge end thereof and D the automatic closure for the discharge.

Describing the invention in more detail it will be seen that the upper end A of the device is of a 5 rectangular form and that its top I is provided with an inlet or filling opening 2 provided with a suitable closure member 3 which is movable in a guideway l. A stop 5 is provided to prevent any 5o possibility of the loss of the sliding closure 3 sion of air to the grasshoppers stored within the carrier.

The bottom B of the carrier or holder is of a funnel shape in that its side walls 8 and its front and rear walls 9 and ID are inclined inwardly 5 and downwardly. The bottom B is provided with the aforementioned outlet C which is of a re-' duced size and of a dimension which will permit the passage therethrough of only a single grasshopper at a time. 10

By reference to Fig. 2 of the drawing it will be seen that the top A and the bottom B are movably associated one with the other in that a hinge or hinges Ii connect the rear wall 12 ofthe upper portion to the rear wall III of the lower por- 15 tion. The parts are secured in the closed positions illustrated in the drawing by a spring catch in the form of a resilient member IS the lower portion ll of which is suitably secured to the front wall 9 of the bottom and is provided in its upper end I 5 with an opening through which projects a pin or stud l6 carried by the front wall I! of the upper portion A.

The closure D has been referred to as automatic for the reason that it is normally in a position to close the outlet. This closure comprises a plate l8 of the proper size and configuration to close the lower end of the outlet 0 and an outwardly extending finger portion I 9. A band 20 surrounds the lower end of the outlet extension C and the closure or valve D is pivotally supported between the ends of this band as at 2 I. A spring 22 exerts a tension to normally hold the closure valve in a closed position.

The device is of a size so that it can be conveniently carried in the pocket of the user, but is also provided withv a strap 23 positioned on the rear wall l2 of the upper portion A by which the carrier or holder can be rapidly and quickly positioned on the belt of the user.

In operation the grasshoppers as they are caught are placed into the carrier through the opening 2 in the cover thereof. As the time comes 7 for the fisherman to desire a grasshopper for bait he has merely to push upward on the finger por- I the bottom B of the holder is such as to assure that the grasshoppers will stay in the bottom of the carrier and be immediately attracted by the light when the closure or valve D is opened.

Although the upper portion of the holder has been illustrated as being of a rectangular shape this exact configuration need not be followed nor need the remaining portion of the device be shaped exactly as illustrated. Other shapes and configurations can be adopted within the spirit of the present invention.

Preferably, although not necessarily, the carrier or holder is made of metal. By using an aluminum the device will present a pleasing appearance and on occasion could be used as a .drinking cup. When used as a drinking cup the lower portion B could be swung into vertical back to back relationship with the upper portion and after the interior of the upper portion had been washed out it will serve as an efflcient water container in that it will hold water sufficiently long to enable one to obtain a drink therefrom.

By making the lower portion movable in respect to the upper portion use of the device as a drinking cup is not only provided for but a. means is provided whereby the interior of the device can be conveniently cleaned, as will be necessary from time to time.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a greatly improved bait carrier which provides an unusually convenient means for storage for the grasshoppers as they are caught and for dispensing them one at a time for use as they are required by fishermen while actually engaged in the act of fishing. I

The invention is to be limited only within the scope of the hereinafter appended claims.

I claim:

1. An improved grasshopper holder, comprising an upper portion having a top wall with an opening therein, a movable cover for said opening, a downwardly extending funnel-shaped lower end terminating in a tubular extending open ended outlet, there being a free passage between the upper portion and the funnel shaped lower end, a normally closed closure for said outlet, and means for opening said closure, said outlet being of a dimension to permit the passage of only a single grasshopper therethrough at a time.

2. An improved grasshopper holder comprising an upper portion having an opening in its extreme upper end, a movable cover for said opening, a funnel shaped lower portion hinged to the upper portion and having a free passage therewith and having an outlet passage of a dimension to permit the passage of only a single grasshopper at a time, means to lock said portions together, a pivotally mounted closure for the outlet opening, means for normally holding said closure in a closed position and means for operating said closure.

JOHN H. JONES. 

